Iguana Cleaning – What You Should Know
Anyone who’s ever kept a pet knows that they need to be kept clean in order to ensure that they remain healthy. Cleaning out a pet’s cage or enclosure is one of the least enjoyable aspects of having a pet, but it is very important for their health (as well as for your health) that this chore be performed regularly.
Cleaning out an iguana’s enclosure takes a bit more effort, as the average enclosure of a fully grown iguana is quite big. However, we have a few tips that will make this task a little bit easier.
What do I need to do when cleaning out my iguana’s enclosure?
The first thing that you need to clean is the iguana’s soaking tray - the pan or tray of water which you usually put in for your iguana to wet or ‘soak’ itself, so that it maintains its required moisture levels. As iguanas also tend to use their soaking tray as a toilet, this is one of the areas of the enclosure that needs to be cleaned out very frequently, daily if possible. Once you remove the soaking tray from the enclosure, the next thing you need to clean is the floor. Although some people choose to use a piece of carpeting or similar to line their iguana enclosure, this is not the best thing to do, as the carpet tends to harbor bacteria and germs. The best floor liner which I can suggest is old newspaper. This means that you can simply roll the newspaper up and toss it in the garbage. You will invariably find that your pet will have hidden things under the floor covering, so make sure you clean these up as well.
Can I use soap or bleach to clean my iguana’s enclosure?
You should NEVER use soap or bleach or any other chemicals when cleaning out your iguana’s enclosure. Iguanas are very sensitive creatures and exposure to chemicals can cause death. Just use water and a clean cloth and do the best you can. Once you have cleaned out the enclosure, put some fresh newspaper on the floor and replace the water in the soaking tray after cleaning it.
Should I give my iguana regular baths?
You will also need to give your iguana regular baths to make sure he stays clean and healthy. The best way to clean an iguana is to half fill your bath and let him get in and play. He will have a great time swimming around and playing in the bath and will also clean himself in the process. You can also use bath time as ‘social time’ to bond with your pet.
One thing that you have to be very mindful of, when cleaning or handling your iguana, is that iguanas are carriers of salmonella. Because of this, you need to make sure that you wash your hands thoroughly with an anti bacterial soap or detergent after cleaning your iguanas enclosure or handling your iguana.